Smith knows players can handle pressure

For Raith Rovers, there is only one main aim this season – to win promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking, writes Neil Robertson.

Obviously, the most straightforward way to do that would be to go up as champions with the bookies in no doubt that the Kirkcaldy side – who have remained full-time despite relegation – are firm favourites to win the League 1 title race.

Despite that, Stark’s Park boss Barry Smith is enough of a realist to know that the forthcoming campaign will be anything but a cakewalk however he is determined his players should embrace, not fear, the high levels of expectation.

He said: “We go into the Alloa game on the back of two good wins in the Betfred Cup.

“Overall, I am pleased with the progress we made in the competition. The results weren’t what we wanted against Dundee and Dundee United but we were always in the games and we competed really well.

“It was important though that we won our last two games and we did that. Winning breeds confidence and we will take that mentality into the Alloa game.

“They are a good side like a lot of the teams in this league.

“We are one of the favourites but so are Ayr United and the likes of Albion Rovers have started well.

“Obviously, our aim is to win promotion and the players have to handle that.

“There are high expectations but they should embrace them and they know my feelings on that.”

Today’s venue is a ground Smith knows well having previously been boss at Alloa before a spell at Aldershot Town.

Iain Davidson is suspended for the game but Smith has no injury worries.

Kevin McHattie is likely to play as a trialist before formally signing a new deal with Raith next week.